Canton picks merger committee members

CANTON  The Canton Central School board Thursday evening appointed 13 of the 14 district residents who will serve on a joint advisory committee that will explore the idea of merging the Canton district with neighboring Potsdam Central.

The list of volunteers was approved unanimously during a special afternoon meeting in the district office.

School Superintendent William A. Gregory said one more person representing athletics still has to be identified from Canton.

On Tuesday, the Potsdam school board approved 11 of its 14 committee members. The joint committee is scheduled to hold its first session from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Potsdam Central. The meetings will alternate between the two districts for the next six months. During this period, consultants from Western New York Educational Council, Buffalo, will gather data and meet with the committee.

Canton planned to select a member of the Golden Bears Booster Club, but the volunteer who stepped forward did not qualify because she is a school district employee.

Mr. Gregory suggested asking one of the districts retired athletic directors to serve.

The following volunteers were approved for the joint committee, representing various stakeholders groups: